Odin, Finally Retires!

     Odin is my wonder dog, my retired service dog, and that once-in-a-lifetime dog.  Selfishly, I have decided he should live forever. Odin turned 9 years young this past August,but has touched many, many people's souls. When I was working, Odin was named mental health counselor by my coworkers.  He also kept me working until my legs decided thy did not want to work properly anymore.  Odin has earned his retirement; although, as I type this on my iPad, he is being used as a table while he naps.  This proves he will never be 100% retired, only 99%. :o)
     My family adopted Odin at the Connecticut Humane Society at 18 months old. (More accurately, he adopted us.) I was wondering around the kennels, when I saw this yellow block headed Labrador retriever keeping an eye me.  When I met him face to face, his gentle nature and an instant connection won me over.  The next day, Odin officially joined our family.  He has always been a gentleman, never having an accident in the house, never stealing food off counters and always wanting to please
his humans.
     Fast forward a few years and I began to have problem with muscle coordination in my legs.  Stumbling, falling, and muscle pain was part of my daily repertoire. When I fell in the house, Odin was right there. His big brown eyes screaming he wanted to help.  Inspired by seeing other service dogs, I trained Odin to stand and brace to help me off the floor.  Soon he was walking next to me going up and down stairs, I could lean on him a little if I listed off balance.  The only command he could not grasp was picking up dropped items.  Odin would become so excited and proud of himself, he would flip the object out if his mouth and behund his head. lol. Regardless, This yellow lab kept me working to the bitter end.
     While working, another more nurturing side developed in Odin.  We would walk in at the beginning of shift, he would immediately go over and sit next to the coworker who was the most emotionally distressed.  In the veterinary field, especially in emergency, we techs and doctors can have some very challenging days.  My coworkers would go sit with Odin on his blanket if they needed some extra cuddle time or positive vibes.  He also managed to turn one of my cat-loving docs, into an Odin and cat-loving doc.  (This canine not only touched humans, but also was a blood donor up until a few weeks ago.  He has helped several other dogs recover from critical surgeries and life-threatening diseases.) Even now, wherever we visit, Odin will lay down or sit next to the person he feels needs some positive reinforcement.
     As I venture out to learn how CCI's service dogs can help me out, Odin will forever have a special place that is part of my soul.  He selflessly gave himself to me.  Odin never asked for anything in return (except food, after all he is a lab).  As he naps and I continue to type, using him as a table, I can only look at him with a heart full of love and the hope that this special dog will live forever.